Month: September 2012

Alphabet Wall Decor

Published on by sweetsourmoments16 Comments

I’ve had this pretty wrapping paper since last year, it was from WorldMarket. At that time I had no idea what it will be used for, it was just so pretty I couldn’t resist to grab it. The color is one of my favorite, the drawing looks like hand painting, and it’s thick with luxury texture.It works well with the wall decor I recently planned to make for the special room I am decorating at this moments. The wall decor idea is from Etsy shop. Instead of printing poster, I want it to be more personal with custom look, so here is my DIY Alphabet wall decor.

This is the printing poster from Etsy.

This rustic frame adds more nice details, like it very much.

The wrapping paper, pretty isn’t it ?

I used Sherwin William paint swatches for the letters, it adds depth to the finish instead of printing.

Wrapped the mat with wrapping paper, this is what it looks like before attaching the letter.

Print the letter on piece of paper, cut, glue to the paint swatch, then glue to the background.

Hopefully it brings you inspiration 🙂

Sweetsour Cookies

Published on by sweetsourmoments2 Comments

This one is super easy and fun looking cookies. Not only cute because of the texture of coconut flakes but I really like how it tastes. The original recipe uses raspberry and/or apricot jam, I modified mine using my homemade chunky pineapple jam and adding raisin on the top. The Pineapple jam gave me idea for the name because it has sourness, just enough, to give fresh and unique taste. With the sweetness from sweetened coconut flakes I think Sweetsour Cookies is the prefect name.

1. Cream together 3/4 pound (3sticks) unsalted butter (at room temperature) and 1 C sugar until just combined then add 1 tsp vanilla extract. On low speed mixed slowly add flour mixture (3 1/2 C all purpose flour + 1/4 tsp salt). Form the dough into a flat rectangle about 7″x 6″, wrap in plastic, chill for 30 minutes.


2. Prepare :

  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water for egg wash
  • 8 ounces sweetened coconut flakes
  • 42 pcs raisin (1 for each)
  • 1 1/2 C chunky pinneaple jam (or any of your favorite jam)

note : for making chunky pineapple jam, cook grated 1/2 fresh pineapple + diced 1/2 fresh pineapple (3/8″x3/8″) with sugar (the amount depends on your preferred sweetness) until the juice is reduced and thick. I prepared mine 1 day ahead.


3. To assemble the cookies :

  • Cut the dough into 42 pcs 1″x1″ square, roll each piece into a ball,
  • dip into egg wash,
  • roll in coconut flakes,
  • place on the baking sheet layered with parchment paper,
  • with finger, make a light indention into its top
  • fill with pineapple jam and top with raisin.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes (until the flakes golden brown) in the preheated 350F oven.

5. Cool and serve. Bon appétit!

Personalized Ipad Case

Published on by sweetsourmoments4 Comments

I had been planning to make a new and personalized home for my Ipad since last year. When I found this cute fabric I thought well this is the time, even better I was able to use, again, the left over Batik fabric for its lining.

1. Material :

  • Cut 11″ x 9″ main fabric, cotton batting, and lining, 2 pcs each. ( or larger if you prefer bigger case for more room, I am using 3/8″ seam allowance ).
  • 18″ long zipper.


2. Place main fabric and cotton batting together, draw any pattern you like ( here are random big and small circles ), then hand stitch using contrast thread. Since I don’t have erasable pencil, I drew on the batting side to keep the main fabric clean. This is optional but I like to put this extra step to add nice detail and to stabilize the cotton batting onto the main fabric.

note : since the main fabric and cotton batting are now attached, I will name them together as main fabric in the next step, for typing efficiency.


3. Pin the zipper on the main fabric, right size facing together as pictured.

4. Sew 1/4″ from the edge. You can also sew the lining at the same time but here I separate the steps. Make sure to cut the zipper edge at the curve area as pictured.

5. This is what it looks like.

6. Place the lining on the top of zipper so that the right size of main fabric and lining facing each other with zipper sandwiched in between.


7. Sew 3/8″ from the edge, closer to zipper opening. This later stitch line will hide the 1st stitch line on the main fabric, the reason why I sew 1/4″ on the step#4… hopefully this is not confusing you 🙂

8. Sew extra stitch on main fabric along the zipper line just to make it looks neat. Continue with the 2nd pair of fabric on the opposite side of zipper.

9. Open the zipper, pin the main fabrics with right sides facing each other, make sure the linings are not included, Sew 1/4″ from the edge. Cut extra length of zipper. Next, pin the linings together right sides facing each other, don’t forget to leave at least 2-3″ opening for flipping the fabrics inside out.

10. Flip inside out. Honestly this is a scary moment since everything looks so messy and out of order, but don’t worry after this step you can have big smile :). Don’t forget to stitch close the lining opening.

11. Done! hopefully you enjoy the tutorial and good luck!

Earphone Pouch DIY

Published on by sweetsourmoments11 Comments

I saw this super cute pouch picture in one of DIY blog which name I forgot to save so hopefully the step by step instruction here is as close as the original posting and would be able to help crafty reader to make it.

I used the leftover purple Cirebon Batik as main fabric with stripped color coordinated fabric as the lining and tab. I can say that this is another Fun with Batik project and you will find me using many Batik fabrics in future DIY or sewing post, it really is so much fun also bring my feeling closer to my family and friends in Indonesia 🙂

1. Cut :

  • 1 pc of 4.5″ diameter main fabric, lining, and interlining
  • 2 pairs of half circle main fabric, lining, and interlining
  • 1 pc of 2.5″ x 2.5″ fabric for the tab

2. Prepare the tab

3.  Line and pin the 1st half circle main fabric, lining, and interlining with zipper positioned in between main fabric and lining. Right side of main fabric and lining facing each other.

4. Sew 0.25″ from zipper edge

5. Flip open the fabric to the opposite side so that interlining meets the wrong side of lining fabric.

6.  Sew the front side along the zipper line.

7. Repeat for the 2nd half circle on the other size.

8. This is what it looks like from the back.

9.  Move the zipper head to the middle ( half way open ) then sew the tab. The position of zipper is important to make sure you will be able to flip the fabric later.

10. Arrange the full circle fabric (with interlining in between, right side fabric facing outside) then put together with the sewed half circles. Secure with pins, make sure the main fabrics facing each other.

11. Sew about 0.25″ from the edge, trim the excess interlining just before the stiches, cut the excess zipper, then flip inside out.

12. Sew along the edge of circle, put the key chain/ ring and done!!!.

Roman Shade DIY

Published on by sweetsourmoments13 Comments

Initially, I planned to replace the aluminum blind in the laundry room with bamboo shade ( here is the link for anyone who is looking for bamboo shade www.paylessdecor.com). But then I wanted something with blue color to match the wallpaper below the ceiling and gave contrast to the yellow wall. Since I got some fabric coupons from JoAnn I thought why don’t just make fabric roman shade using parts of the blind I was going to replace. Voilà, my DIY project for laundry room window!